General Motors Unleashes Dual Mode Hybrids

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General Motors Unleashes Dual Mode Hybrids

Author: Anthony Fontanelle | Total views: 23 | Word Count: 427 | Category: Cars and Trucks | Date: Feb 27th 2008

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General Motors Corp. is jubilant to unleash its revolutionary dual-mode hybrids that boast of superior gas savings. The remarkable increase in fuel efficiency is mainly attributed to chips developed by Freescale Semiconductor Inc.

"GM's dual-mode hybrids are a big advance over single-mode hybrids like Toyota's Prius," said Kevin Klein, Freescale's marketing manager for automotive microcontrollers. "The control electronics are much more complicated, necessitating multiple Power Architecture microcontrollers."

"With the introduction of the world's first full-size hybrid SUVs, GM is pioneering a niche in the automotive market that's in step with today's growing concerns about the environment and global warming," Paul Grimme, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's Microcontroller Solutions Group told Fox News. "We're proud that Freescale technology is helping make these innovative, fuel-efficient SUVs a reality in the market."

The single-mode hybrids on the roads only achieve mileage savings when used in stop-and-go city traffic. In contrast, General Motors dual-mode hybrids use a second electric motor and complex control of transmission gearing to yield mileage savings during highway driving.

The Detroit automakers dual-mode hybrids employ three 32-bit Power Architecture MCUs to control the transmission and its two electric motors, a 16-bit S12 MCU to manage the battery pack, plus a 32-bit Power MCU for engine control, according to EE Times. General Motors, Chrysler LLC, Mercedes-Benz and BMW AG co-developed the innovative technology dubbed the dual-mode hybrid control system.

The hybrids offer two driving modes. In the first mode, for city driving and under light loads, gears one and two operate the vehicle at low speeds, automatically shifting between the electric motor, the petrol engine or a combination of both.

The second mode is used primarily at highway speeds. In the said mode, the electric motors are used in combination with the petrol engine to deliver extra power as required. Additionally, a refined control unit determines when the hybrid should use either of the two modes.

General Motors will include the dual-mode system with its new Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utilities. They are the first hybrids with a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Additionally, they deliver a claimed 50 percent fuel savings. Whats more, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade will also be available as a dual-mode hybrid.

The two-mode milestone is not as chilling as the iced Chevy Nova and experts in the industry say it will serve as a serious competition to hybrids offering single mode driving. Toyota Motor Corp., a leader in hybrid manufacture, may now be contemplating on reinforcing its lineup.

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About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

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General Motors Corp. is jubilant to unleash its revolutionary dual-mode hybrids that boast of superior gas savings. The remarkable increase in fuel efficiency is mainly attributed to chips developed by Freescale Semiconductor Inc. 
 
"GM's dual-mode hybrids are a big advance over single-mode hybrids like Toyota's Prius," said Kevin Klein, Freescale's marketing manager for automotive microcontrollers. "The control electronics are much more complicated, necessitating multiple Power Architecture microcontrollers." 
 
"With the introduction of the world's first full-size hybrid SUVs, GM is pioneering a niche in the automotive market that's in step with today's growing concerns about the environment and global warming," Paul Grimme, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's Microcontroller Solutions Group told Fox News. "We're proud that Freescale technology is helping make these innovative, fuel-efficient SUVs a reality in the market." 
 
The single-mode hybrids on the roads only achieve mileage savings when used in stop-and-go city traffic. In contrast, General Motors dual-mode hybrids use a second electric motor and complex control of transmission gearing to yield mileage savings during highway driving. 
 
The Detroit automakers dual-mode hybrids employ three 32-bit Power Architecture MCUs to control the transmission and its two electric motors, a 16-bit S12 MCU to manage the battery pack, plus a 32-bit Power MCU for engine control, according to EE Times. General Motors, Chrysler LLC, Mercedes-Benz and BMW AG co-developed the innovative technology dubbed the dual-mode hybrid control system. 
 
The hybrids offer two driving modes. In the first mode, for city driving and under light loads, gears one and two operate the vehicle at low speeds, automatically shifting between the electric motor, the petrol engine or a combination of both. 
 
The second mode is used primarily at highway speeds. In the said mode, the electric motors are used in combination with the petrol engine to deliver extra power as required. Additionally, a refined control unit determines when the hybrid should use either of the two modes. 
 
General Motors will include the dual-mode system with its new Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utilities. They are the first hybrids with a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Additionally, they deliver a claimed 50 percent fuel savings. Whats more, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade will also be available as a dual-mode hybrid. 
 
The two-mode milestone is not as chilling as the iced <a href="http://www.thepartsbin.com/guides/chevy/nova.html" title="Chevy Nova">Chevy Nova</a> and experts in the industry say it will serve as a serious competition to hybrids offering single mode driving. Toyota Motor Corp., a leader in hybrid manufacture, may now be contemplating on reinforcing its lineup. 
 Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesoft.com" target="_blank">ArticleSoft.com</a> About the Author: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.